Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-09-30
PERFECT TERRORS.
The White Caps OF Southern Indiana
& Few OF the Infamous Outrages
Laid at Their Doors.
The Law Dstied and tho Press Muzzled
Out Of Fear of q Visit From
the Villains
Cincinnati ENQUIRER.

JASPER, IND, Sept. 23.-It is cold
day when Southern Indiana is not with
out an organized band Of outlaws of
some description. The latest organiza-
ton moves, exists and has It's being in
the counties of Harrison, Crawford,
Orange, Martin and Lawrence, and is
known as the "White Caps" The de-
predations of this order, sometimes COM
mlt.ed under the guise OF law, are
APPALLING IN THEIR ATPCCIEY.
For yesrs and years these Regulators"
have held undisputed sway, and the cruel
ana lnhumhn treatment to which they
have subjected their fellow men, through
fear OF the victims themselves to recount
their experiences, has never been elabo-
rated or made public.
While it is probable that the White
Csps came into existence for g worthy
purpose, they have degenersted sadly
from body born to enforce the law into
one bent on violating it.
The order of the White Caps was first
known in Harrison county many years
ago. The affairs at Corydon, which was
then leading town, were in q bad
muddIe. Peculation aud official corrup-
ton We're rampant, and the people had
been wrought up to the highest pitch
over the
GLAZING OFFICIAL FRAUDS
that We're being perpetrated For
long time the county commissioners
turned q deaf ear to the demand for an
investigation into the rottenEess of off
cfal matters, until one night band Of
one hundred men waited on them and
ureed an investigation in q manner that
was so imperative that the commission
ers could no longer ignore the request.
The committee of one hundred all
wore masks and caps Of white muslin;
hence the name OF "White CAPS" by
which they have ever since been known.
The investigation demanded was had.
but it resulted 10 81 artless lob OF white
washing the guilty officials, which uiti-
mstelY terminated in complete political
revolution. The "White Caps' grew
stronger in number, whipped everybody
who did not accord with their views. and
lneugurated e. reign of terror which everv
now and then is given 9 fresh impetus BY
demonstrations OF laWlessness and VIC
lenCe.
The "White Caps" OF the present dav,
however, do not colfne themselves 10
whipping offenders. Their mode of ad-
ministering "justice" ia some instances
has been demonstrated by numbering the
victims CT their wrath.
THE MOST DIABOLICAL OUTRAGE
Of which they have been guilty lately YVES
the lynching Of Davis Last summer Cor
the alleged outr&ge OF e young woman.
Subsequently 1t transpised that Davis
was innocent OF the crime, although t1e
guilty party was not arrested until after
his death. The fendish treatment to
which they subjected Davis, in order 20
make him confess to the crime CT which
he was Innocent, has never been equaled
in civilized country. They thrust
pointed sticks down bis throat and into
his lungs, ana when life was extinct thev
buried him like deg.
The indignation OF the people YVES
worked up to such pitch on hearing of
this most foul murder that the ssWnlte
Caps" disinterfed the remains and pulled
the sticks from their victim, IN order TO
destroy the evidence OF his terrible death. ,
The physicians who hsd examined the
remaine, however, saw by what methods
the deceased had been deprived of life. |
j. W. Griffin, editor OF the jasper Times, |
went over to investigate the eff.ir and
get report for his paper, but nc sooner
cid he arrive st Eckerty, near the scene
OF the tragedy, than he received q note
warning him TO return home at the peril
OF his life, and he thanked God that he
was permitted to come back alive.
The counties Of Crawford, Horizon
and Orange, which are wild and unsettled,
and traTersed only here and there bV
railroads, are
.FAVoRITE RETREATS
for the "Wh!te Caps" or Knights of the
Switch, as they are sometimes called .and
the very existence OF these orders have
retarded the growth OF the localities and
greatly interfered with the prosperity OF
their citizens. The country papers In
these sections, probably through fear,
condone the action Of these outlaws.
Law-abiding citizens are afraid to express
themselves against the organization, not
outstanding they are in possession Of
evidence that would convict the members
thereof of crimes innumeTabie.
One night recently the "White Caps''
called at the house Of s respectable far
mer in Orange county and began al un-
provoked assault on HIM. While they were
thus engaged the farmers daughter
slipped out Of the house and with a knife
cut loose all Of the horses OF the gang
that were tied outside. In her hurry and
excitement she wounded one of the
horses, and the next day the BLOODY
tricks of the animal were traced to the
barn of prominent politician aud farm
er living in the neighborhood, who is
ssid to be the leader of the gang. No
one dared raise their voice against him,
and he showed
NO FEAR OF OFFICIAL INTERFERENCE.
Recently q school teacher and doctor, |
beth inoffensive citizens, were notified to
leave the country before certain date,
and fearing the treatment others had re-
ceived, they took their departure.
Within the past week at least hsli !
dozen whippings have taken place.
Wilks Trotter, who lives at Marengo,
Crawford county, was badly whipped
few nights ago. Subsequently be got
full and went home drunk. Ga reaching
his house be was met by q body Of
masked men who grabbed him aGd pin
i0ned him to tree and administered the
second beating, after which the leader OF
the mob handed him q note, which read
as follows;
"Unless you go to work st wouce and
give your poor wife the money you earn
and cease Whippin' her, we Will make you
smother visite."
Jerry Bolden, of Orange county, vas
very roughly handled by the "White
Caps" He hsd been neglecting TO sup-I
ply wood for his wife. He was hitched |
between the shafts Of sn express wagon |
and driven By the REGULATORS" to q